From: Shuger, Jill (HRSA) [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2013 8:57 AM
Subject: FW: American Heart Association Focuses on Newborn Screening for Congenital Heart Defects
American Heart Association Focuses on Newborn Screenings for Congenital Heart Defects
Published: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013
Pulse Oximetry can save lives by detecting heart defects otherwise missed
CHICAGO, Feb. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Heart Association (AHA) is focusing its advocacy efforts across the Midwest on the use of pulse oximetry screening ("pulse ox") to detect congenital heart defects in newborns.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130221/DC64338)
"Pulse ox screening is non-invasive, inexpensive and can potentially save a child's life," said Maureen Cassidy, Vice President of Advocacy for the American Heart Association's Midwest Affiliate. "In fact, new research suggests that wider use of pulse ox would help identify more than 90 percent of heart defects."
The test consists of sensors placed on a newborn's hand and foot to check blood oxygen levels. If levels are too low, additional tests may be conducted that aid in detecting critical or possibly life-threatening heart defects that might otherwise go undetected.
In September 2011, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius advised that critical congenital heart defects screening be added to the "Recommended Uniform Screening Panel" for newborns before they are released from a hospital or birthing facility. As a result, several states including New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Tennessee and West Virginia have already passed laws requiring newborns to have pulse ox screenings prior to being discharged from the hospital.
Ongoing advocacy efforts across the Midwest include:
To learn more about the efforts to increase pulse ox screening among newborns, visit www.heart.org/midwestpulseox.
About the American Heart Association: The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America's No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, www.heart.org or call any of our offices around the country.
Find us on Facebook and Twitter!
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/02/21/5207217/american-heart-association-focuses.html
SOURCE - American Heart Association
Thalia Wood, MPH
Specialist, NewSTEPs
Newborn Screening and Genetics Program
Association of Public Health Laboratories
8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700
Silver Spring, MD 20910
t: 240.485.2701
f: 240.485.2700
e: [log in to unmask]
w: www.aphl.org
Connect with APHL
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube
---
To unsubscribe from the HRSA-CCHDTA-L list, click the following link:
http://list.nih.gov/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=HRSA-CCHDTA-L&A=1